KOTA KINABALU: The State Government welcomed the High Court’s decision to allow the Sabah Law Society (SLS) judicial review application regarding Sabah’s right to the 40 per cent special grant from the Federal Government.
“We are relieved with the High Court’s decision which ordered the Federal Government to conduct another review on the grant due for the lost years within 90 days. It confirmed Sabah’s right as stipulated in the Federal Constitution, particularly under Article 112C and 112D,” said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
He said the victory also recognised the vital role of the State Government of Sabah, which has continued to uphold and assert the State’s constitutional rights.
He said the State’s efforts in clarifying the historical records, including the Share of Growth of Federal Revenue Derived from Sabah from 1964 to 1968, have been instrumental in reaffirming that the intent and effect of Articles 112C and 112D remain unchanged.
“The acceptance of the interim payments was without prejudice to the State’s constitutional rights,” he said.
From the outset, Hajiji said that in every Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, the Sabah State Government has consistently and firmly presented its claims.
“We have fought for this issue relentlessly through every formal channel, every MA63 meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, and through countless official letters sent to Putrajaya. Not once have we allowed this matter to pause.
“With this decision, we hope that the Federal Government will fulfil its responsibilities as agreed upon during the formation of Malaysia,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the State Government will engage with the Federal Government to implement the Court’s orders in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, and to ensure that Sabah’s constitutional rights are fully realised.
Hajiji commended the SLS for bringing the issue to court as a matter of public interest. High Court Judge Datuk Celestina Stuel Galid, in her decision today, also instructed that both the Federal and State governments must reach a mutual agreement within 180 days from the date of the order as required under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.-pr/BNN
